Career and Education Opportunities for Industrial Engineers in Tampa, Florida

Many educational and employment opportunities exist for industrial engineers in the Tampa, Florida area. There are currently 8,660 jobs for industrial engineers in Florida and this is projected to grow by 32% to about 11,430 jobs by 2016. This is better than the national trend for industrial engineers, which sees this job pool growing by about 14.2% over the next eight years. In general, industrial engineers design, develop, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.

Industrial engineers earn about $31 per hour or $65,130 per year on average in Florida and about $35 per hour or $73,820 per year on average nationally. Industrial engineers earn less than people working in the category of Engineering generally in Florida and less than people in the Engineering category nationally. Industrial engineers work in a variety of jobs, including: supply chain analyst, quality assurance manager , and efficiency expert.

There are fifty-four schools of higher education in the Tampa area, including one within twenty-five miles of Tampa where you can get a degree to start your career as an industrial engineer. Industrial engineers usually hold a Bachelor's degree, so you can expect to spend about four years studying to be an industrial engineer if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Industrial Engineer

Industrial Engineer video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

Industrial engineers recommend methods for improving utilization of personnel and utilities. They also talk with vendors and management personnel regarding purchases and project status. Equally important, industrial engineers have to design manufacturing methods, labor utilization standards, and cost analysis systems to promote efficient staff and facility utilization. They are often called upon to estimate production costs and effects of product layout changes for management review and control. They are expected to communicate with management and user personnel to evolve production and layout standards. Finally, industrial engineers direct quality control objectives and efforts to deal with production problems, maximize product reliability, and minimize cost.

Every day, industrial engineers are expected to be able to think through problems and come up with general rules. They need to prioritize information for further consideration. It is also important that they articulate ideas and problems.

It is important for industrial engineers to apply statistical methods and perform mathematical calculations to establish manufacturing processes and production standards. They are often called upon to analyze statistical data and product specifications to establish standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product. They also complete production reports and material, tool, and equipment lists. They are sometimes expected to record or oversee recording of data to insure currency of engineering drawings and documentation of production problems. Somewhat less frequently, industrial engineers are also expected to evaluate precision and precision of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plan.

Industrial engineers sometimes are asked to draft and design layouts of equipment and workspaces to illustrate maximum efficiency using drafting tools and computers. They also have to be able to formulate and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization and regulate and alter workflow schedules in line with established manufacturing sequences and lead times to expedite production operations. And finally, they sometimes have to schedule deliveries on the basis of production forecasts, material substitutions, storage and handling facilities, and maintenance requirements.

Like many other jobs, industrial engineers must be thorough and dependable and be able to absorb the factors involved and a problem and provide a well thought out solution.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Tampa include:

Biomedical Engineer. Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.

Chemical Engineer. Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.

Civil Engineer. Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, water and sewage systems, and waste disposal units. Includes architectural, structural, and geo-technical engineers.

Computer Engineer. Research, design, and test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.

Electrical Engineer. Design, develop, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, or scientific use.

Electronics Engineer. Research, design, and test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, or scientific use utilizing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls.

Fire Prevention Research Engineer. Research causes of fires, determine fire protection methods, and design or recommend materials or equipment such as structural components or fire-detection equipment to assist organizations in safeguarding life and property against fire, explosion, and related hazards.

Industrial Engineering Technician. Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May study and record time, motion, and speed involved in performance of production, maintenance, and other worker operations for such purposes as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

Manufacturing Engineer. Apply knowledge of materials and engineering theory and methods to design, integrate, and improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Industrial Engineer Training

University of South Florida - Tampa, FL

University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620-9951. University of South Florida is a large university located in Tampa, Florida. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 46,174 students and an admission rate of 46%. University of South Florida has bachelor's degree, master's degree, and doctor's degree programs in Industrial Engineering which graduated eighteen, fifty-one, and five students respectively in 2008.

CERTIFICATIONS

Planning and Scheduling Professional:
The PSP certification is to recognize specialists who meet a demanding set of planning and scheduling criteria by a rigorous examination, experience, education and ethical qualificaion.

Quality Process Analyst:
The Certified Quality Process Analyst is a paraprofessional who, in support of and under the direction of quality engineers or supervisors, analyzes and solves quality problems and is involved in quality improvement projects.

Six Sigma Greenbelt:
The Six Sigma Green Belt operates in support of or under the supervision of a Six Sigma Black Belt, analyzes and solves quality problems and is involved in quality improvement projects.

Quality Inspector Certification:
The Certified Quality Inspector is an inspector who, in support of and under the direction of quality engineers, supervisors, or technicians, can use the proven techniques included in the body of knowledge.

Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing Professional - Technologist:
ASME GDTP Certification provides the means to recognize proficiency in the understanding and application of the geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) principles expressed in the ASME Y14.

Certified Energy Manager:
Since its inception in 1981, the Certified Energy Manager (CEM®) credential has become widely accepted and used as a measure of professional accomplishment within the energy management field.

Industrial Instrumentation:
This certification program was designed for engineering technicians who are engaged in a combination of the following instrumentation system activities: design assistance, installation and maintenance of industrial measurement and control systems, and the installation and maintenance of a variety of electrical, electronic, and pneumatic instruments used within systems.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Tampa, Florida

Tampa, Florida photo by Caltrop

Tampa is located in Hillsborough County, Florida. It has a population of over 340,882, which has grown by 12.3% over the last ten years. The cost of living index in Tampa, 95, is near the national average. New single-family homes in Tampa are valued at $188,700 on average, which is far less than the state average. In 2008, six hundred thirty-five new homes were constructed in Tampa, down from 1,008 the previous year.

The three big industries for women in Tampa are health care, educational services, and finance and insurance. For men, it is construction, professional, scientific, and technical services, and accommodation and food services. The average travel time to work is about 23 minutes. More than 25.4% of Tampa residents have a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 9.2%, is higher than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Tampa is 11.8%, which is greater than Florida's average of 11.3%.

The percentage of Tampa residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 41.8%, is less than the national average but more than the state average. Abundant Life Assembly of God Church, Florida Tampa Mission and Most Holy Redeemer Church are among the churches located in Tampa. The largest religious groups are the Catholic Church, the Southern Baptist Convention and the United Methodist Church.

Tampa is home to the Parkers Railroad Station and the Drew Station Railroad Station as well as Ybor City Museum State Park and American Legion Playground. Shopping centers in the area include Northgate Shopping Center, Old Hyde Park Village Shopping Center and Benttree Plaza Shopping Center. Visitors to Tampa can choose from Backstage Restaurant & Lounge, Baymont Tampa Busch Gardens and Budget Inn for temporary stays in the area.